Differences In Neurocognitive Functioning Research Articles

Trauma Memory Characteristics and Neurocognitive Performance in Youth Exposed to Single-Event Trauma.

Cognitive models of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) highlight characteristics of trauma memories, such as disorganisation, as key mechanisms in the aetiology of the disorder. However, studies investigating trauma memory in youth have provided inconsistent findings. Research has highlighted that PTSD in youth may be accompanied by difficulties in neurocognitive functioning, potentially impacting ability to recall the trauma memory. The present study sought to investigate both trauma memory characteristics and neurocognitive functioning in youth aged 8-17 years. Youths exposed to single-event trauma, with (N = 29, Mage = 13.6, 21 female) and without (N = 40, Mage = 13.3, 21 female) a diagnosis of PTSD, completed self-report measures of trauma memory, a narrative memory task and a set of neurocognitive tests two to six months post-trauma. A group of non trauma-exposed youths (N = 36, Mage = 13.9, 27 female) were compared on narrative and neurocognitive tasks. Results indicated that trauma memories in youth with, versus without, PTSD were more sensory-laden, temporally disrupted, difficult to verbally access, and formed a more 'central' part of their identity. Greater differences were observed for self-reported memory characteristics compared to narrative characteristics. No between group differences in neurocognitive function were observed. Self-reported trauma memory characteristics highlight an important factor in the aetiology of PTSD. The observed lack of significant differences in neurocognitive ability potentially suggests that cognitive factors represent a more relevant treatment target than neurocognitive factors in single-event PTSD. Further research to understand the cognitive factors represented by self-reported trauma memory characteristics is recommended.

Concussion Symptoms and Neurocognitive Performance of Children and Adolescents on Antidepressants.

There is a well-established association between pre-existing depression/anxiety and greater post-concussion symptom burden, but the potential impact of antidepressant medications has not been fully explored. The primary objective of this study was to compare pre-injury/baseline and post-injury concussion symptom scores and neurocognitive performance of athletes on antidepressant medications, both with healthy controls and with those with depression/anxiety not on antidepressants. This is a cross-sectional study using data collected from 49,270 junior and high school athletes from computerized neurocognitive assessments (Immediate Post-Concussion Assessment and Cognitive Test [ImPACT]) administered between 2009 and 2018 held by the Massachusetts Concussion Management Coalition. The main outcome measures were symptom scores and neurocognitive performance measures, all of which were assessed both at baseline and post-injury. Statistical analysis included analysis of variance and Tukey pairwise comparisons for continuous variables and Fisher's exact test for categorical variables. Multivariate regression models were used to adjust for potential confounding variables. Both at baseline and post-injury, athletes with depression/anxiety had mean total symptom scores that were more than double that of healthy controls regardless of antidepressant use. While there were no significant differences in neurocognitive performance at baseline, depression/anxiety was associated with small but significant decreases in post-injury visual memory and visual motor scores. Both at baseline and after sustaining a concussion, young athletes with depression/anxiety experience significantly greater symptom burden compared with healthy controls regardless of antidepressant use.

Comment on: "Differences in Neurocognitive Functions Between Healthy Controls and Anterior Cruciate Ligament-Reconstructed Male Athletes Who Passed or Failed Return to Sport Criteria: A Preliminary Study".

Comment on: "Differences in Neurocognitive Functions Between Healthy Controls and Anterior Cruciate Ligament-Reconstructed Male Athletes Who Passed or Failed Return to Sport Criteria: A Preliminary Study".

Response to "Comment on: Differences in Neurocognitive Functions Between Healthy Controls and Anterior Cruciate Ligament-Reconstructed Male Athletes Who Passed or Failed Return to Sport Criteria: A Preliminary Study".

Response to "Comment on: Differences in Neurocognitive Functions Between Healthy Controls and Anterior Cruciate Ligament-Reconstructed Male Athletes Who Passed or Failed Return to Sport Criteria: A Preliminary Study".

RACIAL/ETHNIC DIFFERENCES IN NEUROCOGNITIVE PROFILES OF OLDER ADULTS WITH 6-YEAR INCIDENT DEMENTIA

Abstract Hispanic and non-Hispanic Black (NHB) older adults have higher dementia rates than non-Hispanic Whites (NHWs). Estimates of dementia prevalence and incidence in community-based cohorts are mostly based on threshold value performance on cognitive assessment batteries. We used longitudinal data from the HRS Harmonized Cognitive Assessment Protocol (HCAP) to (1) generate and compare, across race/ethnicity, neurocognitive profiles for older adults (>65 years) not meeting research criteria for dementia in 2010 and developing dementia by 2016 (using Langa-Weir’s dementia classification), (2) assess racial/ethnic differences in these profiles, and (3) test socio-demographic effects on dementia-specific differences in neurocognitive performance. Performance on all HCAP measures was highly sensitive to 6-year incident dementia classification. However, we found notable domain-specific differences in test sensitivity, whereby performance on general screeners (e.g., MMSE) and memory-based tests (e.g., CERAD word list recognition) were significantly lower (≤2 SDs from normed population means). Hispanics and NHBs generally performed lower than NHWs, with more pronounced group differences in general screeners and executive function tests. Sociodemographic characteristics significantly attenuated Hispanic differences, but less so for NHBs, relative to NHWs. Despite these group differences, NHWs with incident dementia had worse neurocognitive profiles than their NHB and Hispanic counterparts. Dementia classification algorithms (e.g., Langa-Weir) sensitively detect cognitive impairment. However, these algorithms more accurately identify higher severity cognitive impairment in NHWs compared to NHBs and Hispanics. Such methods can yield dementia estimates biased by sociocultural factors. Further research is needed to identify culturally appropriate neurocognitive tests that enhance precise dementia diagnosis, using population-level epidemiological data.

44 Cognitive Intraindividual Variability as a Predictor of Functional Outcomes in a Sample of Precariously Housed Individuals

Objective:Precariously housed individuals are exposed to multiple adverse factors negatively impacting neurocognitive functioning. Additionally, this population is subjected to poor life outcomes, such as impaired psychosocial functioning. Neurocognitive functioning plays an important role in psychosocial functioning and may be especially critical for precariously housed individuals who face numerous barriers in their daily lives. However, few studies have explicitly examined the cognitive determinants of functional outcomes in this population. Cognitive intraindividual variability (IIV) involves the study of within-person differences in neurocognitive functioning and has been used as marker of frontal system pathology. Increased IIV has been associated with worse cognitive performance, cognitive decline, and poorer everyday functioning. Hence, IIV may add to the predictive utility of commonly used neuropsychological measures and may serve as an emergent predictor of poor outcomes in at-risk populations. The objective of the current study was to examine IIV as a unique index of the neurocognitive contributions to functional outcomes within a large sample of precariously housed individuals. It was hypothesized that greater IIV would be associated with poorer current (i.e., baseline) and long-term (i.e., up to 12 years) psychosocial functioning.Participants and Methods:Four hundred and thirty-seven adults were recruited from single-room occupancy hotels located in the Downtown Eastside of Vancouver, Canada (Mage = 44 years, 78% male) between November 2008 and November 2021. Baseline neurocognitive functioning was assessed at study enrolment. Scores from the Social and Occupational Functioning Assessment Scale (SOFAS), the Role Functioning Scale (RFS), the physical component score (PCS) and the mental component score (MCS) of the 36-Item Short Form Survey Instrument were obtained at participants’ baseline assessments and at their last available follow-up assessment to represent baseline and long-term psychosocial functioning, respectively. Using an established formula, an index of IIV was derived using a battery of standardized tests that broadly assessed verbal learning and memory, sustained attention, mental flexibility, and cognitive control. A series of multiple linear regressions were conducted to predict baseline and long-term social and role functioning (average across SOFAS and RFS scores), and PCS and MCS scores from IIV. In each of the models, we also included common predictors of functioning, including a global cognitive composite score, age, and years of education.Results:The IIV index and the global composite score did not explain a significant proportion of the variance in baseline and long-term social and role functioning (p > .05). However, IIV was a significant predictor of baseline (B = -3.84, p = .021) and long-term (B = -3.58, p = .037) PCS scores, but not MCS scores (p > .05). The global composite score did not predict baseline or long-term PCS scores.Conclusions:IIV significantly predicted baseline and long-term physical functioning, but not mental functioning or social and role functioning, suggesting that IIV may be a sensitive marker for limitations in everyday functioning due to physical health problems in precariously housed individuals. Critically, the present study is the first to show that IIV may be a useful index for predicting poor long-term health-related outcomes in this population compared to traditional neuropsychological measures.

B - 28 Health Literacy Is a Better Predictor of Neurocognitive Performance on Verbal Fluency Tasks than Race.

Neuropsychologists have historically used demographically-adjusted normative data to account for race-associated differences in neurocognitive performance. Using race-based norms has become increasingly controversial, particularly following the National Football League 2014 concussion settlement, as such practices may perpetuate systemic inequities and biases. Adjusting for the effects of social determinants of brain health may be an alternative approach to race-based norms. A measurable social determinant of brain health that disproportionately affects Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) is health literacy, which has been well-associated with verbal fluency performance. The current study evaluated the incremental value of health literacy and race to predict neurocognitive performance on a verbal fluency measure. The sample comprised 71 BIPOC and 45 White participants (ages 18-87) who underwent an outpatient neuropsychological evaluation. Verbal fluency was measured via the F-A-S and Controlled Animal Word Association Test. Health literacy was measured via the Short Assessment of Health Literacy-English. Demographics included age, sex, race, and years of formal education. Race was categorized as White or BIPOC since binary classification is common in race-based norms. Hierarchical regression analysis revealed that the combination of race and health literacy have a significantly larger effect on verbal fluency performance than race alone (p < 0.001). Including this interaction in the model explained 13.07% more variance in neurocognitive performance than race as an independent predictor (R-squared increased from 4.83% to 17.90%). These findings suggest health literacy may be more helpful for accounting for group differences in neurocognitive performance than race when developing normative data.

Kinematics, Kinetics and Muscle Activity Analysis during Single-leg Drop-jump Landing Followed by an Unanticipated Task: Focusing on Differences in Neurocognitive Function.

Lower neurocognitive function is a risk factor for anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury. However, the mechanism by which lower neurocognitive function increases the risk of ACL injury remains unclear. To clarify the effect of differences in neurocognitive function on landing mechanics during a single-leg drop-jump landing motion followed by an unanticipated task. Cross-sectional study. Fifteen collegiate female athletes were recruited (20.1 ± 1.3 years, 166.6 ± 7.3 cm, 60.6 ± 6.9 kg) and were divided into two groups (the high-performance (HP) group and the lower-performance (LP) group) using the median Symbol Digit Modalities Test (SDMT) score. Three-dimensional motion analysis was employed for the analysis during the experimental task of a single-leg drop-jump followed by an unanticipated landing task from a 30-cm high box. Joint angular changes of the trunk, pelvis, hip, and knee were calculated within the interval from initial contact (IC) to 40ms. Knee and hip moments were calculated as the maximum values within the interval from IC to 40ms. Surface electromyography data from key muscles were analyzed 50ms before and after IC. Independent t-tests were used to compare the effects of different neurocognitive function on the measurement items. Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05. The SDMT score was significantly higher in HP group (HP: 77.9 ± 5.5; LP: 66.0 ± 3.4; p < 0.001). The LP group had a significantly greater trunk rotation angular change to the stance leg side (HP: 0.4 ± 0.8; LP: 1.2 ± 0.4; p = 0.020). There were no significant differences between the two groups in terms of joint moments, and muscle activities. Differences in neurocognitive function by SDMT were found to be related to differences in motor strategies of the trunk in the horizontal plane. Although trunk motion in the sagittal and frontal planes during single-leg drop-jump landing increases the ACL injury risk by affecting knee joint motion, the effect of trunk motion in the horizontal plane remains unclear. 3© The Authors.

Comparison of the neurocognitive profile of the children of parents with bipolar disorder and controls: A transnational cross-sectional study

IntroductionStudies that have compared the cognitive alterations of the children of parents with bipolar disorder (CPBD) versus the children of control parents (CCP), present heterogeneous results due to the studies’ methodological differences, the age of the population studied, and the lack of standardisation of the measures used for the different neurocognitive domains. The objective was to compare the neurocognitive profile of CPBD versus CCP to observe if there are differences that could be proposed as possible endophenotypes of BD. ResultsA total of 107 individuals (51 CPBD, and 56 CCP) with ages between 6 and 16 (mean, 12.2±2.80) years of age were evaluated. Seventy-four point five percent of the CPBD group had some disorder compared to 67.9% of the CCP group. Tests such as letter-F phonemic verbal fluency, letter-S phonemic verbal fluency, overall F-A-S phonemic verbal fluency, story recall and retrieval, and Wisconsin perseverative errors showed a difference with a small effect size, but with a high degree of uncertainty. ConclusionsThe CPBD did not have differences in their neurocognitive profile in comparison with CCP. Both groups have a high prevalence of psychopathology, which is a factor that could explain the lack of differences in neurocognitive performance.

Behavioral and Cognitive Outcomes of Rhesus Macaques Following Neonatal Exposure to Antiseizure Medications.

Exposure of neonatal macaques to the antiseizure medications phenobarbital and midazolam (PbM) causes widespread apoptotic death of neurons and oligodendrocytes. We studied behavior and neurocognitive performance in 12 to 24 month-old macaques treated as neonates with PbM. A total of 14 monkeys received phenobarbital and midazolam over 24 hours under normothermia (n = 8) or mild hypothermia (n = 6). Controls (n = 8) received no treatment. Animals underwent testing in the human intruder paradigm at ages 12 and 18 months, and a 3-step stimulus discrimination task at ages 12, 18, and 24 months. Animals treated with PbM displayed lower scores for environmental exploration, and higher scores for locomotion and vocalizations compared with controls. Combined PbM and hypothermia resulted in lower scores for aggression and vigilance at 12 months compared with controls and normothermic PbM animals. A mixed-effects generalized linear model was used to test for differences in neurocognitive performance between the control and PbM groups in the first step of the stimulus discrimination task battery (shape center baited to shape center non-baited). The odds of passing this step differed by group (p = 0.044). At any given age, the odds of passing for a control animal were 9.53-fold (95% CI 1.06-85) the odds for a PbM animal. There was also evidence suggesting a higher learning rate in the shape center non-baited for the control relative to the PbM group (Cox model HR 2.13, 95% CI 1.02-4.43; p = 0.044). These findings demonstrate that a 24-hour-long neonatal treatment with a clinically relevant combination of antiseizure medications can have long-lasting effects on behavior and cognition in nonhuman primates. ANN NEUROL 2023.

Neurocognitive Functioning of Patients with Sinonasal and Nasopharyngeal Cancers Treated With Multimodality Therapy

Abstract Importance Few recent studies have examined neurocognitive functioning (NCF) in patients with sinonasal and nasopharyngeal cancers (NPCs) prior to and following multimodality therapy or the potential differences in NCF by disease variables such as disease site. Objective The objective of this study is to determine rates of NCF impairments prior to and following multimodality therapy, declines in NCF following radiotherapy (RT), and possible differences in NCF by the disease site. Design, Setting, and Participants We conducted a retrospective chart review of 39 patients with sinonasal and NPCs who underwent comprehensive neuropsychological evaluations. Twenty patients were evaluated prior to RT, of which eleven received follow-up evaluation after completion of RT. Nineteen patients were evaluated following various treatments without a pre-RT evaluation. Main Outcomes and Measures Patients completed comprehensive neuropsychological evaluations. Decline from pre-RT to follow-up was defined on the basis of reliable change indices. Results Thirty-nine patients completed comprehensive neuropsychological evaluations. For the entire cohort, the most frequently demonstrated impairments were in verbal memory (47%) and learning (43%), executive functioning (33%), and verbal fluency (22%). At post-RT follow-up, the most frequently observed declines were in verbal learning (46%) and memory (18%). Demographic and disease variables were not significantly associated with NCF at pre-RT or post-RT. Conclusion and Relevance Patients with sinonasal and NPCs are at risk for NCF impairments in multiple areas at baseline and memory decline following RT. Future prospective studies are needed to investigate the impact of each treatment modality on NCF and specific risk factors for cognitive dysfunction.

Evaluating High and Low Heart Rate Variability Response and Neurocognitive Performance in Workers: An Exploratory Study.

Heart rate variability (HRV) has the potential to be a predicting factor of cognitive performance. The present research aimed to explore the differences in neurocognitive performance of workers with high HRV and low HRV. A total of 48 white-collar workers and 53 blue-collar workers were assessed. An electrocardiogram was used to obtain HRV data, whereby a 10 min baseline and an active (neuropsychological task) recording were taken. Median splits were performed on data to obtain high- and low-HRV groups. The Cambridge Neuropsychological Test Automated Battery, specifically, the spatial working memory, attention-switching task, rapid visual processing, and spatial span were used. Higher HRV (RMSSD and HF) was linked to better neurocognitive performance measures. Interestingly, the blue- and white-collar groups exhibited different correlations and, in some cases, showed an inverse relationship with the same variables. The differences observed in the present study demonstrate the importance of assessing task-dependent HRV parameters.

Differences in Neurocognitive Functions Between Healthy Controls and Anterior Cruciate Ligament-Reconstructed Male Athletes Who Passed or Failed Return to Sport Criteria: A Preliminary Study.

Only 55% of anterior cruciate ligament-reconstructed (ACLR) athletes return to competitive sports. This brings into question the usefulness of current return to sport (RTS) criteria. High cognitive demand of sport environment clarifies the value of incorporating neurocognitive tests when making decisions regarding the time of RTS. This preliminary study aimed to compare the neurocognitive functions between healthy controls and ACLR male athletes who passed or failed RTS criteria. A total of 45 male football players, including 15 ACLR who passed RTS criteria, 15 ACLR who did not pass, and 15 healthy controls participated in this cross-sectional study. The Cambridge Neuropsychological Test Automated Battery was used to measure a battery of neurocognitive tasks, including speed of response, sustained attention, working memory, cognitive flexibility, and response inhibition. The results revealed that compared with both the ACLR-passed and healthy groups, the ACLR-failed group showed greater values of 5-choice movement time (P = .02, P = .01, respectively) but lower values of stop signal reaction time (P = .03, P = .001, respectively) and proportion of successful stops variables (P = .02). In addition, compared with the healthy group, both the ACLR-failed and ACLR-passed groups indicated greater values in between errors (P < .001, P = .008, respectively) and reaction latency variables (P = .002, P = .01, respectively) but lower values of A' (P < .001, P = .007, respectively), probability of hit (P < .001, P = .03, respectively), and percent correct trials variables (P = .006, P = .02, respectively). Our findings indicated deficits in neurocognitive functions in ACLR male athletes. In addition, poor performance in sustained attention, working memory, and cognitive flexibility measures observed in the ACLR-passed group highlighted the necessity for using a multimodal approach via implementation of neurocognitive measures in conjunction with the functional and muscular assessments when making RTS decisions.

Neurocognitive Functions in Opioid Dependence: Comparisons Between Opioid Categories

We examined the differences in neurocognitive functions in individuals dependent on heroin ( n = 120), pharmaceutical ( n = 52), and natural opioids ( n = 66) and compared with healthy controls (HC, n = 94). We estimated independent effects of the opioid groups on cognitive tests, adjusted for effect modifiers. Pharmaceutical opioid dependent group performed worse than HC in Wisconsin Card Sorting Test in conceptual level response and trials to complete first category. Pharmaceutical and heroin groups had higher error scores than HC in verbal and visual N-Back Tests (NBTs). There was no significant difference between pharmaceutical and heroin groups, but both had higher error scores than the natural opioid users in NBTs. Time to complete Trail Making- A test was higher in pharmaceutical than in natural opioid group. The natural opioid group required more trials than HC to complete the first category. Pharmaceutical opioid group had worst cognitive impairment. Cognitive functions are relatively spared in natural opioid-dependent group.

Cortical thickness and neurocognitive performance in former high-level female soccer and non-contact sport athletes.

Long-term effects of playing soccer (football) on the brain structure and function of the brain are vividly debated. While some studies showed differences in neurocognitive performance and structural brain changes in retired male players, data on female players are scarce. The present study compares cortical thickness and neurocognitive performance in former high-level female soccer (SOC) and non-contact sport athletes (CON). 3 TT1-weighted 3D MPRAGE MRI was performed, and vertex-wise cortical thickness was analyzed using FreeSurfer (v. 6.0.0). Neurocognitive performance in seven domains of SOC and CON was assessed. A multivariate linear model was used to analyze interactions with respect to heading frequency and a history of concussion. SOC (n=15, mean age 38.3 ± 5.1 years) and CON (n=16, mean age 36.6 ± 5.8 years) had a similar cortical thickness and performed similarly in the neurocognitive tests except for verbal memory and psychomotor speed, where SOC performed significantly worse than CON. Moderate headers had a significantly larger cortical thickness than rare headers in the right inferior parietal region. Visual memory and cortical thickness were positively correlated in the group of frequent headers and negatively correlated in CON, but not in the other header groups. In contrast to previous reports in male soccer players, female players did not reveal cortical thinning in comparison with control athletes, whereas neurocognitive profiles of female soccer players might not significantly differ from male athletes. Small sample sizes, subjective header assessment, and the case-control study design require a cautious interpretation.

Identification of overlapping and interacting networks reveals intrinsic spatiotemporal organization of the human brain

The human brain is a complex network that exhibits dynamic fluctuations in activity across space and time. Depending on the analysis method, canonical brain networks identified from resting-state fMRI (rs-fMRI) are typically constrained to be either orthogonal or statistically independent in their spatial and/or temporal domains. We avoid imposing these potentially unnatural constraints through the combination of a temporal synchronization process (“BrainSync”) and a three-way tensor decomposition method (“NASCAR”) to jointly analyze rs-fMRI data from multiple subjects. The resulting set of interacting networks comprises minimally constrained spatiotemporal distributions, each representing one component of functionally coherent activity across the brain. We show that these networks can be clustered into six distinct functional categories and naturally form a representative functional network atlas for a healthy population. This functional network atlas could help explore group and individual differences in neurocognitive function, as we demonstrate in the context of ADHD and IQ prediction.

Gender Differences in Executive Functions of Patients Operated for Mild to Moderate Epidural Hematoma

Abstract Background Impairment in neurocognitive functions are commonly followed by Epidural hematoma (EDH) . This cross-sectional study was aimed to study gender differences in neurocognitive functions in mild to moderate epidural hematoma patients (43 male and 19 female patients) post-surgery using standardized assessment tools of comprehensive neurocognitive function attention, speed, working memory, fluency, set-shifting, perseveration, planning and response inhibition. Methods Descriptive statistics, i.e., mean and standard deviation (SD) values were computed, and a t-test was applied for further exploration. Results The analysis of results shows that on the test of working memory, female group scored better as significant differences were found on N-Back (2 Back versions) and digit span-backward. On the verbal fluency test (COWA), significant difference was found as females scored higher than the male group on total responses. However, the male group was higher in total time and error than the female group on the test of sustained attention and divided attention. Conclusion This study shows interesting results in terms of gender differences in executive function of patients operated for mild to moderate epidural hematoma. These findings have significant clinical and implications for planning intervention. The neuropsychological rehabilitation of patients operated for mild to moderate epidural hematoma has a crucial role in enhancing their recovery and overall functioning. Inputs about gender differences in neuro psychological functioning of these patients would help in decision making regarding neuropsychological rehabilitation incorporating the gender related differences too in their intervention plan.

Long-term neurocognitive functioning of children treated with propranolol or atenolol for infantile hemangioma

The purpose of this study was to compare long-term neurocognitive functioning (working memory, processing speed, and attention) between children who had been treated with either propranolol or atenolol for infantile hemangioma during infancy. All eligible children (n = 158) aged 6 years or older and treated with propranolol or atenolol as infants were invited to participate in this two-center cross-sectional study. The primary outcome was the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children-V Cognitive Proficiency Index (CPI), a measure of working memory, processing speed, and attention. Secondary outcomes were general intelligence, auditory, visuospatial, and narrative memory, as well as executive functioning and sleep. A total of 105 children, of whom 36 had been treated with propranolol (age 6.0–11.8 years, follow-up time 1.6–9.7 years, 19% male) and 69 had been treated with atenolol (age 6.9–9.7 years, follow-up time 4.5–8.4 years, 19% male), were analyzed. The CPI and other neurocognitive outcomes did not differ between the propranolol and atenolol groups and were in line with general population test norms. Post hoc analyses revealed lower CPI scores for males, both compared to participating females (10.3 IQ points, medium effect size) and compared to matched test norms (12.4 IQ points, medium effect size).Conclusions: Long-term neurocognitive functioning did not differ between children treated with propranolol and those treated with atenolol for IH. Overall, propranolol and atenolol appear to be safe treatments for IH regarding long-term neurocognitive functioning. The substantially lower CPI scores in males warrant further investigation.Trial registration: Netherlands Trial Register, NL7703 https://www.trialregister.nl/trial/7703What is Known:• Infants with infantile hemangioma are effectively treated with propranolol or atenolol.• Parents and professionals are concerned about long-term neurocognitive effects.What is New:• No long-term (≥ 6 years) differences in neurocognitive functioning were found between children treated with propranolol or atenolol.• Males treated with beta-blockers had substantially lower IQ scores than treated females and males from the general population, which is a matter of concern and should be considered when evaluating the risk/benefit ratio in less severe forms of infantile hemangioma.

Attention problems and off-topic verbosity among young adult and older adult age cohorts

Off-topic verbosity refers to tangential discourse with excessive and irrelevant information. Previous research suggests that age-related increases in off-topic verbosity may be due to underlying changes in neurocognitive functioning. The purpose of this study was to investigate relationships between attention problems and off-topic verbosity. Young adults (n = 63) and older adults (n = 82) were administered a continuous performance test and provided speech samples, which were transcribed and rated for tangentiality, egocentrism, and quantity of speech. Overall, results found that attention problems were associated with greater tangentiality among older adults, but among young adults more attention problems were associated with lower quantity of speech. Attention problems may affect young adults’ and older adult’s speech in different ways, possibly reflecting differences in neurocognitive functioning or communication goals.

Effects of Human Immunodeficiency Virus Infection and Former Cocaine Dependence on Neuroanatomical Measures and Neurocognitive Performance

Evidence from animal research, postmortem analyses, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) investigations indicate substantial morphological alteration in brain structure as a function of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) or cocaine dependence (CD). Although previous research on HIV+ active cocaine users suggests the presence of deleterious morphological effects in excess of either condition alone, a yet unexplored question is whether there is a similar deleterious interaction in HIV+ individuals with CD who are currently abstinent. To this end, the combinatorial effects of HIV and CD history on regional brain volume, cortical thickness, and neurocognitive performance was examined across four groups of participants in an exploratory study: healthy controls (n = 34), HIV-negative individuals with a history of CD (n = 21), HIV+ individuals with no history of CD (n = 20), HIV+ individuals with a history of CD (n = 15). Our analyses revealed no statistical evidence of an interaction between both conditions on brain morphometry and neurocognitive performance. While descriptively, individuals with comorbid HIV and a history of CD exhibited the lowest neurocognitive performance scores, using Principle Component Analysis of neurocognitive testing data, HIV was identified as the primary driver of neurocognitive impairment. Higher caudate volume was evident in CD+ participants relative to CD− participants. Findings indicate no evidence of compounded differences in neurocognitive function or structural measures of brain integrity in HIV+ individuals in recovery from CD relative to individuals with only one condition.